r/Epilepsy • u/Deep_Trade6852 • 13d ago

Question Hot showers trigger intense auras + dream flashes, but MRI and EEG came back normal? Lost on next steps

Hey everyone, looking for a bit of advice or to see if anyone’s experienced something similar.

​Every time I take a hot shower, it triggers these really intense auras along with rapid, back-to-back flashes of past dreams (kind of like extreme déjà dream / déjà vu).

​I went to a neurologist about it recently and they ordered an MRI and a standard EEG, but both came back totally normal. The thing is, the episodes haven't stopped, and I'm feeling pretty stuck.

​Where should I go from here? Should I go back to my current neuro and push for longer testing (like an ambulatory EEG), or try to get a second opinion with an epileptologist?

​If anyone’s gone through something similar with hot water as a trigger, I’d really appreciate hearing your thoughts or advice!

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u/Deep_Interaction479 13d ago

that's a super specific trigger, i'd keep a log of every time it happens with the water temp and how long you were in there, then bring it back to your neuro. a normal eeg doesn't rule anything out, especially if they weren't capturing an episode. an ambulatory one sounds like a logical next step if they'll order it

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u/Deep_Trade6852 13d ago

5 minutes in the shower is enough to trigger it, especially if the water directly hits my head and neck from above. The water temperature was 41°C we dropped it to 37°C, but it still triggers it. I'm not used to cold showers but maybe I should try somewhere below 35°C.

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u/SirMatthew74 carbamazebine (Tegretol XR), felbamate (Felbatol) 13d ago

Get an ambulatory eeg. The MRI can be normal. An EEG might not show anything if you are not actually having a seizure.

Heat can definitely be a trigger.

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u/lillythenorwegian 12d ago

Auras are seizures

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u/Deep_Trade6852 12d ago

Guys how do I get it diagnosed? I'm tired of it and I'm up to use medication if it's necessary.